Formation of differentially rotating free-boundary plasmas with x-ray driven plasma flows at the MAGPIE facility

We will present results obtained using a novel experimental platform which uses the x-rays generated by wire array z-pinch implosions to ablate between 4 and 8 planar or wedge-shaped targets, creating converging plasma flows with non-zero angular momentum. Measurements of the plasma parameters with Thomson scattering, interferometry and fast gated cameras show formation of a hollow and stable rotating disc which is sustained for more than one full rotation by the ram pressure of the converging flows. The large Reynolds (Re~10⁵) and magnetic Reynolds (Rem~20) numbers characterising this rotating plasma, and the possibility to add an axial or cusp B-field, allow a direct test of the effects of magnetic fields on the disc structure and stability.